Some Early Application deadlines pushed back

Right around this time last year, some of us on the east coast were surprised with an October snowstorm. Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy came with plenty of warning, but the aftermath is always a shock. November 1 is an early application deadline and this storm is definitely throwing a wrench in the works. Colleges were flexible with their deadlines last year, and it looks like the same will be true this year. (If you were procrastinating and these deadlines bought you some time, I won't pile on but let that be a lesson to you.)

I started to compile a list, and then found an extensive one here (thanks to Nancy Griesemer and her cabin fever):

Colleges who have pushed back early application deadlines

Of course, this isn't a complete list because colleges will make decisions as time goes on. If you're applying early and don't see your college on that list, check their homepage or social media accounts for news. 

Good luck!

Tomorrow is a big day for college admissions

On October 10, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas. "Fisher" is Abigail Fisher, a white student in Texas who asserts she was denied admission at the University of Texas at Austin because of her race. Texas is a state that guarantees admission to any state institute of higher learning to graduates of any Texas high school who place in the top ten percent of their class. In this instance, Abigail Fisher was not part of the top ten percent and was also denied admission as part of the general process. She has since graduated from Louisiana State University. 

Some numbers on UT-Austin (2011, from collegeboard.com):
Total undergraduates: 38,437
Total applicants: 32,589
Admitted: 15,172
Enrolled: 7,149

Based on these, the admit rate is 47% of applicants, which is highly selective according to College Board.

The racial breakdown of the student body is listed as 48% white, 21% Latino/Hispanic, 18% Asian, and 5% African-American. 91% of its population is made up of in-state residents. 

I've come across a few thought-provoking articles and they're all worth a read--

From New American Media: Fate of Affirmative Action Hangs on Fisher v. Univ. of Texas

A tie vote would mean that the University of Texas wins, but a tie doesn’t have the same precedential value as a majority five-three decision. Likely to back Texas would be Justices Ginsberg, Breyer, and Sotomayor. I think these three are fairly safe predictions. As the court’s health care decision shows, you can never be sure what’s going to happen. Nobody expected Justice Roberts to be the savior of Obama’s health care. So you don’t want to say you can be sure, but if you look at what the justices have written in the past, the remaining justices are skeptical of affirmative action. Sometimes people vote for what they’re skeptical of, but one of those five would have to change for Texas to win [by getting a four-four vote].

From the New York Times: Play Close Attention to the Supreme Court This Week

Among the reasons that nearly every public or private college or university utilizes racial preferences in admissions – other than in states like California where voters have banned the practice – is the belief that students learn at least as much from their classmates as their professors, and that a broadly diverse student body creates an educational environment most conducive to learning.

From the Washington Post (opinion): Why race matters in college admission

As a practical matter, we do not understand how a rule forbidding all consideration of race could possibly be enforced. Essays and letters of recommendation are critical components of the application process at law schools. They allow us to evaluate intangible virtues such as courage, commitment and moral compass. In their personal statements, many applicants discuss how race has influenced their lives. Writers of recommendations frequently mention race in explaining how an applicant has overcome challenges. Would those advocating race-blind admissions have us censor the statements of applicants and their recommenders? How could we carry out such a task, even if we were inclined to do so?  

Also from the Washington Post: Supreme Court considers about-face on racial preferences in college admissions in Texas case

The case also raises several contentious side issues, including whether affirmative-action programs hurt the very people they are supposed to be helping. A new book by law professor Richard Sander and journalist Stuart Taylor argues that “large preferences often place students in environments where they can neither learn nor compete effectively, even though these same students would thrive had they gone to less competitive but still quite good schools.”

I don't envy the decisions any admissions office has to make. Every student has a story and a case to admit could probably be made for each one. My point is only this-- admissions is a maddening process. Sometimes policies make sense, sometimes they don't. We don't always get the answer we want. The process isn't always fair. I know Ms. Fisher wants this to be about an applicant's merits, and on the surface I believe that to be true. Yet... if it were that simple why would colleges ask for essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities? Why wouldn't they solely consider test scores and grades? Because it's not that simple. And after tomorrow's arguments, the whole process could get turned on its head.

3 Ways to Take Advantage of Summer

Summer is probably my favorite time of year. I love that it stays light late in the day, I love the warmth, and I especially love the beach. Here is the Northeast, summer is our reward for winter. Take a break; you've earned it.


Just not for the WHOLE summer.


Savvy students will take advantage of these next few months and set themselves up for the coming school year. So what can you do? Here are the things I'd put on top of my to-do list.


1. Do Something 
I'm trying to be open-ended here, not vague. Did you land an internship? Are you working retail? Baby-sitting for some kids in the neighborhood? Fantastic. An experience is only as good as you make it. (Yes, it could be a potential college essay topic but don't get hung up on that.) Any job you have can teach you something if you let it. Don't discount summer work!


2. Speaking of the college essay...
Summer is the perfect time to work on it! You don't have the pressure of the school year and you can devote more time to the process. Brainstorm. Write about the topic you've got in mind. If it doesn't work you'll either realize that now and move on, or you'll have the time you need to fix it. Fall seems like a long way off right about now, but you'll be way ahead of the game once September rolls around.


3. Visit some colleges
College campuses will be emptier that during the school year, but there's still plenty of information to soak up. (The tour schedules might be a little different, so make sure you plan ahead.) Approach it like you would any other time of year. Do your research--what are you looking to gain from the visit? Hang back when the tour is over and talk to the student guide. There's someone who was in your shoes recently and is a wealth of information. Another potential bonus for summer visits is the admissions representative from your area might have more time to talk to you. 


There's a lot to take advantage of in the summer. Recharge those batteries, but don't lost momentum. 

So the answer is no. Can you do anything about it?

Didn't get the answer you wanted?

Everytime I read about some high-profile lawsuit the article always ends with one party expecting to appeal. It's understandable to be disappointed when we don't get what we want, and sometimes there is something we can do about it. Poor customer service? Sure, write an email or talk to a manager. It might change what happened, it might not, but there's something about taking action that makes us feel a bit better. But what if that disappointing outcome is getting rejected from your dream school?  You can't help but wonder if there's more you can do. 

First of all, there's a good chance your dream school has an appeals policy. Go on the website or call admissions. If it's against policy to even consider appeals, well, there's your answer. This is just one of those "life isn't fair" moments. If it really means that much to you, there's always the transfer option. But, you know how I feel about transferring. 

If the school will entertain appeals, and you really, truly feel you have a case then by all means. But ask yourself these questions first:

1. Is it because you got in to "better" schools?

2. Is it because your friend got in and you feel you have similar stats?

3. Is it because a distant relative went there and, as a legacy, you should have some standing?

4. Can you not imagine going anywhere else?

5. Was there a serious clerical error in your application or do you have significant new information (like decidely higher test scores) that admissions should know about?

6. Do you see where I'm going with this?

If you can answer question #5, then you might have a legitimate case on your hands. If you just want them to give you a second look, I hate to say it, but that's just not enough. Multiple people read each application and they really do look at everything you have to offer. It's not that you weren't good enough; you just didn't get in. That's all. I've said it before and I'll say it a million times more: admission is not a prize to be won. Being denied admission hurts, absolutely, but you're not being denied the opportunity to go to college. We all have to deal with disappointment eventually, but it's how you handle it that's most important.

6 Questions about transferring

A new study released this week showed that one-third of all students transfer at least once as they work towards a degree. (Students who earned an associate's degree and then moved to a four-year institution were not counted as transfers). The study followed nearly 2.8 million full and part-time students from 2006-2011. What's most interesting about this data is that 51.9% of students transferring from four-year public institutions transferred to two-year public institutions. Why this was the case isn't something the study examined, but I would think that the economy played a big role, at least for some of those students. Community college is becoming an increasingly popular option, especially amongst families with annual incomes over $100,000. A Sallie Mae study found a six percent increase over the last four years, from 16 percent to 22 percent. Community colleges can be fantastic options. They tend to have smaller class sizes and it could be a quicker path, depending on your career aspirations.

But plenty of students still transfer from one four-year institution to another. How do you know if it's the right move? A lot goes into a decision like this, but unless it's really, truly awful, don't transfer in your freshman year. Try to see your first year through instead of just one semester.

Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it social? Are you putting yourself out there? Much of what makes college a great experience is your own devotion to it. Are you getting involved in clubs or other activities?
2. Is it because you aren't attending your first choice? Again, college is what you make it. If you never got over the fact you didn't get into your first choice, then maybe you aren't giving your current school a fair shake. For the sake of the tuition bill, make the effort.

Take transferring as seriously as you (hopefully) took applying to college the first time around. Be thoughtful about this. If you don't think you can make your current college the place you want to be, then you really need to think about what didn't go well. This might be made easier if you have a college in mind that you want to transfer to. If you know that transferring is what you need to do, consider these questions: 

3. Did you do your research? Simply put, if you know why you're transferring then you should know why you want to go to the school you're transferring to. Have you looked at the transfer admission rate at your targeted school? Some college make room for transfer students and some really don't, so it could be even harder to get in than at the incoming freshman level.
4. How many credits do you have? Make sure you know where you'll stand as a transfer student. If you're changing majors, will you lose credits at your new school? Will you be ok with that? Credits will also be important for how your new school will see you. Too few and you'll be seen as a freshman. Talk to an admissions counselor at your desired school to see how they handle things. And make sure you keep those grades up!
5. How does the school handle transfers? Are there any orientation programs or other activities to welcome transfer students? Maybe that's a big deal to you, maybe it's not. But what about housing? Ideally, you want a school that's as welcoming to transfer student as it is to incoming freshman.

Transferring can be tough. You've got to make a plan and stick to it, same as when you were a senior in high school. They're going to have deadlines and expectations too, so don't think that the application process for a transfer is totally different from that of incoming freshman. So, the sixth question I have for you: are you ready?

I can actually speak from experience on this one. I spent my freshman year at a school in Boston (my first choice school), wasn't happy, and transferred to a school in Philadelphia. These were the two schools I couldn't decide between when I was a senior in high school. I don't regret my decision for a minute. I changed majors, added a minor, and still graduated in the traditional four-year timeline. I made some wonderful friends who welcomed me just as though I'd been there with them the previous year. It can be very discouraging to go away to college and be completely disappointed after a multi-year build up to what are supposed to be some of the best years of your life. Take some of the pressure off yourself. Be thoughtful, weigh your options, and chances are it will all work out in the end.

What to do if you get deferred

The decision letters from colleges are slowly but surely rolling in. Some of these letters are clear: acceptance or rejection. But if you applied early, there's another potential answer: deferral. This basically amounts to "maybe", which could be just about the most maddening answer ever, regardless of the question asked. This article comes from the Washington Post, and there are some good suggestions here, some of which are also relevant for the wait list. The underlying theme here is conveying your desire. If this is the place you want to be, the admissions office wants to know that. It's a difficult position to be in, and I would suggest you also explore other options. Be hopeful, but be realistic.

Deferred students lobby for admission
by Jenna Johnson
The boom in the number of students applying to college through early decision or early action programs in recent years has resulted in more students asking questions like: What happens when you get deferred?

The answer to those questions varies from school to school, but here are seven basic tips for what to do next:

1. Remember that a referral is not a rejection — but it’s also not an acceptance. Many universities will only keep an application in the pool if the student has a shot of getting in during the regular admissions process — so congratulations on making it to the next round. With that said, you need to have a back-up plan and apply to other schools before their deadlines hit.

2. Update your application with any relevant information. A lot has probably happened since you sent in your early application in October or November, so make sure that you update that application with all relevant information. “Relevant” means your first semester grades and major accomplishments, like being named class president or receiving a national award. (Things that are most likely not relevant: being named “student of the week” in your Spanish class or joining the foreign film club.) You can also use this as an opportunity to submit an updated letter of reference, especially if your favorite teacher (or a teacher who has recently become your favorite) was unable to write a letter in time for the early deadlines.

3. Take full advantage of any opportunities that the admissions department offers. If your applications is not as full as it could be, change that. If the school offers to interview applicants, set up an appointment on-campus, over-the-phone or with an alum in your region. If the school has an optional essay, make sure to submit one. If you can submit up to three letters of recommendation and have only sent one, recruit two more.

4. Don’t stalk the admissions office. Don’t be annoying. And don’t submit extraneous information. Right now, most admissions staffers are trying to work their way through hundreds of applications. So unless you have a legitimate question, let them work in peace.

5. Check in with your other contacts. Chances are that the admissions department is not the only entity on campus that wants to hear about your senior year. If you have been in touch with other people on campus — maybe a coach, professor, mentor or department recruiter — make sure to keep them up-to-date on your application status. Make sure you also keep the college counselor at your high school in the loop on what you are doing.

6. Write a letter. If you applied early action or decision, then obviously that school is one of your top choices. But it doesn’t hurt to reiterate that sentiment in a formal letter. At Johns Hopkins University, Daniel G. Creasy typed up six tips for deferred students, which included writing a letter: “Though not something all deferred applicants need to do or even should do, some of you may consider writing a personal letter to the Admissions Committee stressing your interest in Hopkins and why you feel you are an appropriate candidate for admissions. Consider this a cover letter to your overall application.”

At the University of Virginia, Dean of Admission Greg Roberts advised against submitting any information beyond midyear grades: “Some students ask if they should notify us that UVA is their first choice. While we’re flattered to see that level of interest, we normally don’t take this into account when making admission decisions.” (This is the first year U-Va. has offered nonbinding early action, although years ago it offered binding early decision. The university received 11,753 early applications and accepted 3,187 students.)

7. Let the process play out. Once your application is complete, then you just have to wait. In the meantime, enjoy your senior year and keep your grades up.

I'm Not the One Going to College

Earlier this week Mark Sklarow, Executive Director of the Independent Educational Consultants Association wrote a blog piece that generated a lot of buzz. It was titled: "Getting Kids Into" Ivy League Colleges: Absolutely NOT the Job of an Independent Educational Consultant.

He was a little fired up because he'd been reading a lot of membership applications that espoused "insider knowledge" and "admission secrets" that would translate into an "advantage" for the student working with the consultant.

Outrageous claims like this get me a little fired up too. Admission to a college is not a prize to be won. Don't forget-- you still have to GO to college once you're admitted. This is why ethical independent educational consultants focus on the student as a whole and help students discover schools where they can be successful.

Think about this scenario-- Let's say Emma is a solid student at a good high school with good standardized test scores. She could get into any number of schools, but a school such as Harvard would be a long shot (and an academic struggle, to boot). Maybe she applies anyway and gets in. Any number of people would question her turning that down.

But this is exactly why admission is not the prize. Emma might flunk out. Or she might struggle to graduate in seven years with poor grades. Is that worth it? Or is worth going to a school where she could graduate with honors, be a leader on campus because she's not struggling academically, and graduate on time? That's the scenario I'd rather see.

If the Ivies were the end-all, be-all, then the thousands of other wonderful colleges out there wouldn't exist.

I'm not yet a member of IECA, but I strive to abide by their Principles of Good Practice. This is why I will never claim to get a student into college. Students get themselves in, IEC's help get everyone through it all.

3 Things to Remember About Your College Application

It's official-- we are in the throes of the holiday season. Between the constant holiday music and piles of decorations everywhere, there's no escaping it. And what do the holidays mean? Stress! Yet somehow it all manages to come together, even if it's at the last minute.

We're also in the the throes of another season, college application season, and that means another stressful deadline lurking behind the holidays--the regular application deadline. Those who applied earlier will actually get an answer soon; what a lovely present that could be. Just like the holiday eventually sorts itself out with some thought and organization, so do the college applications.

There are a three things to remember that I think will help, even if you've already got an application in.

1. Colleges want you
Think about it--do you think a college would exist without you, the student? This isn't meant to be a if-a-tree-falls-in-the-woods-and-no-one's-around kind of question but they need you, they really do. Yes, a lot of it is business driven, with staff to pay and a lot of building upkeep, but the professors are also there to teach YOU. None of it can really exist without students.

2. Admissions officers are people too
Ever see a teacher outside of school, in regular clothes? It's kind of a weird feeling, isn't it? Kind of like they shouldn't be there? Admissions officers seem like that too. Who are these people? Talk to them; you'll find they're quite reasonable. They're looking for the best qualities in each application they comb through.

3. You will go to college
I know sometimes it feels like this isn't true. And I don't doubt how disappointing it will feel if you don't get in to your first choice. But if the list of colleges is a thoughtful one, there's more than one good choice on that list. The common denominator in this whole equation is you. You are the only one who can make your college experience great. Take advantage of the incredible opportunity that's in front of you. If you do that, you'll thrive. And what's stressful about that?

2011 State of College Admissions

The National Association for College Admission Counseling, or NACAC, has released its annual State of College Admission report. The association culls information from surveys it sends to colleges and universities. This year's report outlines some interesting trends as they relate to enrollment, social media trends in the admissions process, information on high school graduation, acceptance rates, and factors in admissions decision-making.

Here are some highlights:

1. Number of High School Graduates Has Peaked after Decade of Growth
There were 3.33 million high school graduates in 2008-09. In 2010-11, that number will dip to an estimated 3.28 million. The decline will continue, but rebound eventually and remain there through 2017-18.

2. College Enrollment Continues at All-Time High
By 2020 college enrollment is expected to increase to 23 million, up from approximately 20.4 million in 2009.

3. Racial/Ethnic Minorities and Low-Income Students Underrepresented in College
Only 55 percent of high school completers from the lowest income quintile transitioned to college in 2009, while 84 percent from the highest income quartile went on to college.

4. Application Growth Continues
73 percent of colleges experienced an increase in the number of applications received from 2010. For students entering college in 2010, 25 percent of them applied to 7 or more schools.

5. More Colleges Use Wait List; Chances of Acceptance Drop
48 percent of institutions used wait lists for fall 2010 admissions. In 2009, that number was 39 percent. An average on 28 percent of students were accepted off the wait list, a six point drop from fall 2009.

6. Admission Offices Identify Grades, High School Curriculum and Test Scores as Top Factors
In order of importance: grades, curriculum strength, standardized test scores, overall high school GPA, essay, demonstrated interest, class rank, counselor and teacher recommendations, and extracurricular activities.

7. Student-to-Counselor Ratio
US Department of Education data in 2009-10 showed a public school student-to-counselor ratio of 460:1 (that's including K-12 schools). NACAC data indicated an average ratio of 272:1 in secondary schools (including part-time staff). ASCA's ideal ratio is 100:1.

8. Time Spent Counseling for College
Public school counselors reportedly spent an average of 23 percent of their time on college counseling. Private school counselors spent 55 percent of their time on college counseling.

9. College Counseling Staff
26 percent of public schools had at least one counselor (either full- or part-time) on staff dedicated to college counseling, compared to 73 percent of private schools.

10. Cost to Recruit
$585 was the average dollar amount spent by colleges and universities recruiting applications for fall 2010.